Catholic News 2
Two licks with a wooden paddle in the principal's office was the price 11-year-old Kaley Zacher, of Dexter, Georgia, paid for ignoring warnings about falling behind in her school work....
AKRON, Ohio (AP) -- Black Republicans cheer Donald Trump for a newfound outreach to African-Americans, but say the GOP presidential nominee must take his message beyond arenas filled with white supporters and venture into the inner cities....
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- The president of the American University in the Afghan capital says a militant attack is underway on the campus....
AMATRICE, Italy (AP) -- A strong earthquake in central Italy reduced three towns to rubble as people slept early Wednesday, killing at least 73 people and injuring hundreds more as rescue crews raced to dig out survivors with bulldozers and their bare hands....
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican has called on the international community to expand the definition of a ‘weapon of mass destruction’ to include “devastatingly powerful conventional weapons used to perpetrate war crimes and crimes against humanity.” “Conventional weapons are becoming less and less ‘conventional’ as technological advances elevate their power to destroy to the level of weapons of mass destruction,” said Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.The Vatican diplomat was speaking on Tuesday during a Security Council Open Debate on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.“For this reason, the Holy See recommends that discussions on weapons of mass destruction go beyond the traditional categories of nuclear, chemical, biological, and radiological weapons to include devastatingly powerful conventional weapons,” he continued.“Military forces, rebels, t...
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican has called on the international community to expand the definition of a ‘weapon of mass destruction’ to include “devastatingly powerful conventional weapons used to perpetrate war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
“Conventional weapons are becoming less and less ‘conventional’ as technological advances elevate their power to destroy to the level of weapons of mass destruction,” said Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.
The Vatican diplomat was speaking on Tuesday during a Security Council Open Debate on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
“For this reason, the Holy See recommends that discussions on weapons of mass destruction go beyond the traditional categories of nuclear, chemical, biological, and radiological weapons to include devastatingly powerful conventional weapons,” he continued.
“Military forces, rebels, terrorists and extremist groups use with greater frequency ever more powerful conventional weapons, showing scant regard for civilian immunity, discrimination, or proportionality,” Archbishop Auza said.
“The tens of millions of refugees and displaced persons send an important message to this Chamber today,” – the Archbishop said – “We must flee or die as our cities and communities are entirely devastated, not by nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, but by powerful conventional weapons.
The full text of the speech by Archbishop Auza is below
Statement of H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza
Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations
Security Council Open Debate on
Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
23 August 2016
Mr. President,
The Holy See commends the Presidency of Malaysia for bringing this topic to the attention of this Chamber and the entire International Community.
At the very outset, my delegation wishes to reiterate the Holy See’s constant and firm opposition to the production and use of weapons of mass destruction. Any act, any weapon that aims indiscriminately to destroy entire cities or extensive areas, together with their inhabitants, is against all international humanitarian law and merits unequivocal and unhesitating condemnation.
Mr. President,
While treaties and conventions have been reached to ban chemical and biological weapons and prevent the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, human genius continues to invent new ways of annihilating itself. For instance, conventional weapons are becoming less and less “conventional” as technological advances elevate their power to destroy to the level of weapons of mass destruction.
For this reason, the Holy See recommends that discussions on weapons of mass destruction go beyond the traditional categories of nuclear, chemical, biological, and radiological weapons to include devastatingly powerful conventional weapons used to perpetrate war crimes and crimes against humanity. Military forces, rebels, terrorists and extremist groups use with greater frequency ever more powerful conventional weapons, showing scant regard for civilian immunity, discrimination, or proportionality.
Indeed, humanitarian disasters that continue to unfold in real time before our very own eyes show us that schools, hospitals and other civilian infrastructure are blown up by the incessant use of powerful conventional weapons. The tens of millions of refugees and displaced persons send an important message to this Chamber today: We must flee or die as our cities and communities are entirely devastated, not by nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, but by powerful conventional weapons. These tragedies appeal to the international community to implement strictly all legally binding treaties and instruments on the prohibition and nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and urgently to review existing classifications and definitions of what constitutes a weapon of mass destruction.
Mr. President,
In this very Chamber and in other fora, the Holy See has repeatedly called on the weapon producing nations of the world to severely limit and control the manufacture and sale of weapons to unstable countries and regions of the world, where the likelihood of their illegal use and their falling into the hands of non-state actors is real and present. The proliferation of weapons, regardless of whether they are conventional or of mass destruction, simply aggravates situations of conflict and results in huge human and material costs, profoundly undermining development and the search for lasting peace. Indeed, non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament underpin global security and sustainable development. Without them, the achievement of the much-vaunted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will be seriously jeopardized.
Mr. President,
Double standards in the implementation of treaties and conventions on the prohibition and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction can only encourage disregard for the very same treaties and conventions on the part of those who are aggrieved or discriminated against. The discrimination between countries with and countries without weapons of mass destruction cannot be a permanent situation. If it is unthinkable to imagine a world where weapons of mass destruction are available to all, it is reasonable to imagine, and to work collectively for, a world where nobody has them. The international community must thus appeal and act with one voice to ban all weapons of mass destruction. This objective requires the continued advocacy and cooperation of all, because much remains to be done to achieve it.
Mr. President,
There is no doubt that every step towards banning weapons of mass destruction is a giant step towards achieving a better world.
Thank you, Mr. President.
(Vatican Radio) Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has insisted he will fire senior public sector workers in five key ministries who voted against him in a build up to an attempted referendum trying to remove him. Listen to James Blears' report: According to ruling Socialist Party spokesman Jorge Rodriguez: "People who are against President Nicolas Maduro`s Revolution, cannot be in management positions in Ministries, Public Institutions, State or Local Government."Those five key ministries, which are due for the firings are: Food, Finance, Works, Basic Business, and the Presidential Office. Their offense, punishable by being for the high jump, was voting against President Maduro in round one of a signature collection, which the opposition aims to lead up to a Referendum, to remove President Maduro from power.Hundreds of less highly placed opponents who were workers in the public sector say they've already been fired.Electoral official...
(Vatican Radio) Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has insisted he will fire senior public sector workers in five key ministries who voted against him in a build up to an attempted referendum trying to remove him.
Listen to James Blears' report:
According to ruling Socialist Party spokesman Jorge Rodriguez: "People who are against President Nicolas Maduro`s Revolution, cannot be in management positions in Ministries, Public Institutions, State or Local Government."
Those five key ministries, which are due for the firings are: Food, Finance, Works, Basic Business, and the Presidential Office.
Their offense, punishable by being for the high jump, was voting against President Maduro in round one of a signature collection, which the opposition aims to lead up to a Referendum, to remove President Maduro from power.
Hundreds of less highly placed opponents who were workers in the public sector say they've already been fired.
Electoral officials insist that phase two, involving the collection of four million signatures demanding the Referendum, can't start until October and would take at least 90 days to access.
This would mean the January 10th deadline for a fresh presidential election couldn't be met in time.
After that juncture, even if the Referendum went against the President, his Vice President would take charge, leading the nation until the mandate expired in 2019.
The opposition coalition says there's going to be a nationwide protest about the issue on September 1st.
(Vatican Radio) As the death toll from an earthquake in central Italy continues to rise, Bishop Giovanni D'Ercole of Ascoli Piceno traveled the short 40 km to Pescara del Tronto to be with the hundreds of people affected by the quake.Bishop D'Ercole spoke to Vatican Radio early Wednesday morning, saying the scene was 'distressing'."When I arrived at the break of day, I saw a destroyed village, screams, death... We are truly in a desperate situation and unfortunately this is not the only area affected, because others are also in this situation".He said there were still many areas unreached by rescue personnel."There are several people who are not responding [to telephone calls], and I went to bless the bodies of two children buried under the rubble.""A certain part of the diocese is suffering. I think, however..., that the area worst hit is the part near Rieti, that is, between Amatrice, Accumoli, Pescara del Tronto, Arq...
(Vatican Radio) As the death toll from an earthquake in central Italy continues to rise, Bishop Giovanni D'Ercole of Ascoli Piceno traveled the short 40 km to Pescara del Tronto to be with the hundreds of people affected by the quake.
Bishop D'Ercole spoke to Vatican Radio early Wednesday morning, saying the scene was 'distressing'.
"When I arrived at the break of day, I saw a destroyed village, screams, death... We are truly in a desperate situation and unfortunately this is not the only area affected, because others are also in this situation".
He said there were still many areas unreached by rescue personnel.
"There are several people who are not responding [to telephone calls], and I went to bless the bodies of two children buried under the rubble."
"A certain part of the diocese is suffering. I think, however..., that the area worst hit is the part near Rieti, that is, between Amatrice, Accumoli, Pescara del Tronto, Arquata, and near Force."
Pope Francis cancelled the catechism portion of his Wednesday General Audience and led pilgrims in praying the rosary for the victims of the earthquake.
(Vatican Radio) In the wake of the powerful earthquake that struck central Italy on Wednesday, Pope Francis at the General Audience postponed his prepared catechesis, and led the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square in the recitation of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary.The Holy Father expressed his “heartfelt sorrow and spiritual closeness” to all those affected by the earthquake and its aftershocks. He said he was deeply saddened upon learning several children were among the dead, and of hearing of the total destruction of the town of Amatrice.“I want to assure all the people of Accumuli, Amatrice, the Diocese of Rieti, Ascoli Piceno, and all the people of Lazio, Umbria, and Le Marche, of the prayers and close solidarity of the entire Church, who in these moments extends her merciful love, as well as the concern of all of us here in the Piazza, Pope Francis said.He asked everyone to join him in prayer to Jesus, that the Lord might “c...
(Vatican Radio) In the wake of the powerful earthquake that struck central Italy on Wednesday, Pope Francis at the General Audience postponed his prepared catechesis, and led the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square in the recitation of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary.
The Holy Father expressed his “heartfelt sorrow and spiritual closeness” to all those affected by the earthquake and its aftershocks. He said he was deeply saddened upon learning several children were among the dead, and of hearing of the total destruction of the town of Amatrice.
“I want to assure all the people of Accumuli, Amatrice, the Diocese of Rieti, Ascoli Piceno, and all the people of Lazio, Umbria, and Le Marche, of the prayers and close solidarity of the entire Church, who in these moments extends her merciful love, as well as the concern of all of us here in the Piazza, Pope Francis said.
He asked everyone to join him in prayer to Jesus, that the Lord might “console the broken-hearted, and, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, bring them peace.”
“With Jesus,” Pope Francis concluded, “let our hearts be moved with compassion.”
Below, please find the full text of the Pope’s remarks at the General Audience on Wednesday:
“I had prepared the catechesis for today, as for all Wednesdays during this year of mercy, focusing on the closeness of Jesus. However on hearing of the news of the earthquake that has struck central Italy, and which has devastated entire areas and left many wounded, I cannot fail to express my heartfelt sorrow and spiritual closeness to all those present in the zones afflicted.
“I also express my condolences to those who have lost loved ones, and my spiritual support to those who are anxious and afraid. Hearing the mayor of Amatrice say that the town no longer exists, and learning that there are children among the dead, I am deeply saddened.
“For this reason, I want to assure all the people of Accumuli, Amatrice, the Diocese of Rieti, Ascoli Piceno, and all the people of Lazio, Umbria, and Le Marche, of the prayers and close solidarity of the entire Church, who in these moments extends her merciful love, as well as the concern of all of us here in the Piazza.
“And thanking all the volunteer and rescue personnel who are assisting these people, I ask you to join me in praying to the Lord Jesus, Who is always moved by compassion before the reality of human suffering, that He may console the broken hearted, and through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, bring them peace.
“With Jesus let our hearts be moved with compassion.
“So we will postpone, then, this week’s catechesis until next Wednesday, and I invite you to pray with me a part of the holy Rosary, the sorrowful mysteries.”
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday made a special greeting during his General Audience to the members of the International Paralympic Committee and the athletes who are preparing to participate in the next Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, which will take place from 7-18 September.The Holy Father blessed the Paralympic Flag when he was in Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day in 2013, taking the opportunity to speak about the bonds between evangelisation and the world of sport.The Vatican is participating in the "Casa Italia Paralimpica in Rio 2016,” which is a meeting place for the Italian delegation at the Paralympic Games.The Casa Italia is a long-term project – which will involve the collaboration of the Holy See and the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro – to offer practical support to a series of project initiatives, especially involving parasport activities.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday made a special greeting during his General Audience to the members of the International Paralympic Committee and the athletes who are preparing to participate in the next Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, which will take place from 7-18 September.
The Holy Father blessed the Paralympic Flag when he was in Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day in 2013, taking the opportunity to speak about the bonds between evangelisation and the world of sport.
The Vatican is participating in the "Casa Italia Paralimpica in Rio 2016,” which is a meeting place for the Italian delegation at the Paralympic Games.
The Casa Italia is a long-term project – which will involve the collaboration of the Holy See and the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro – to offer practical support to a series of project initiatives, especially involving parasport activities.
(Vatican Radio) Emergency services are on the scene following an earthquake which struck central Italy in the early hours of Wednesday morning. They arrived with earth-moving equipment and sniffer dogs in order to locate people trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings.The quake measured 6.2 on the Richter scale.Italy sits on two fault lines, making it one of the most seismically active countries in Europe.Dr Roger Musson is a seismologist at the British Geological Survey. He spoke to Lydia O’Kane about quake and it’s impact.Listen: “It’s not a great earthquake in world terms”, said Dr Musson but the impact of an earthquake is not just a function of the magnitude, it’s a function of where it occurs and also the depth and this earthquake has occurred in a populated area of Italy; it occurred at a very shallow depth… and that means that a lot of people are exposed to strong shaking so the consequences can be quite severe.&rdqu...
(Vatican Radio) Emergency services are on the scene following an earthquake which struck central Italy in the early hours of Wednesday morning. They arrived with earth-moving equipment and sniffer dogs in order to locate people trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings.
The quake measured 6.2 on the Richter scale.
Italy sits on two fault lines, making it one of the most seismically active countries in Europe.
Dr Roger Musson is a seismologist at the British Geological Survey. He spoke to Lydia O’Kane about quake and it’s impact.
Listen:
“It’s not a great earthquake in world terms”, said Dr Musson but the impact of an earthquake is not just a function of the magnitude, it’s a function of where it occurs and also the depth and this earthquake has occurred in a populated area of Italy; it occurred at a very shallow depth… and that means that a lot of people are exposed to strong shaking so the consequences can be quite severe.”
Speaking about the aftershocks that can occur follow a quake, the seismologist described how, “aftershocks punch above their weight because the main shock damages a lot of buildings and leaves them in a weakened state so that they’re tottering and an aftershock even at a moderate magnitude just finishes the buildings off that have already been weakened.”
As well as being felt in Rome, Dr Musson said that this earthquake was also felt in other European countries including Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.
